Sentencing

8th August 2017

Hemel Hempstead MP and former Armed Forces Minister Mike Penning has written to Attorney General Jeremy Wright calling on him to review the sentence handed to ex-Royal Marine Ciarán Maxwell who was sentenced to 18 years for stockpiling and supplying terrorists with pipe-bombs at the Old Bailey last week.

In his letter, Mike said:

“I believe that the terrorism charges together with the large number of crimes he committed justifies a longer sentence. He admits to stealing British army ordnance with intent for it to be used against innocent people of the United Kingdom, stockpiling and supplying to terrorists pipe bombs which he manufactured using skills gained in training as part of the elite Royal Marines and all the time being a traitor to his country and fellow service personnel.

“I agree with Commander Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism unit that Mr Maxwell is an extremely dangerous terrorist.”

Speaking afterwards Mike added:

“This is an appalling situation where this man has used his privileged position in the highly respected Royal Marines to turn against his country and his colleagues to make and supply bombs intended for use against innocent people.

“If this hadn’t been stopped who knows what horrors could have been perpetrated.

“With an 18-year sentence, he may well be out in six years. This cannot be allowed to happen. He is a very dangerous terrorist.”